Copenhagen and Aarhus say goodbye to Microsoft
Denmark's two largest municipalities are abandoning Microsoft products.
Published on July 1, 2025
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Denmark's two largest municipalities, Copenhagen and Aarhus, are moving away from Microsoft products and embracing open-source alternatives. This decision has been influenced by increasing licensing costs and geopolitical tensions with the US. Aarhus has already started implementing Nextcloud, while Copenhagen is still in the early stages of its transition. This step marks not only a change of supplier but a complete overhaul of the municipalities' digital infrastructure. In the Netherlands, alarm bells have previously been sounded about the country's heavy dependence on American IT suppliers. Could and would the Netherlands follow Denmark's example?
Geopolitical drivers for the Danish switch
The decision by Copenhagen and Aarhus to turn their backs on Microsoft stems from a worrying geopolitical climate. Relations with the United States under Donald Trump have been under pressure, prompting the Danes to rethink their digital sovereignty. Henrik Appel Espersen, chairman of the audit committee in Copenhagen, emphasized that dependence on American tech giants such as Microsoft poses a risk to national security. If relations with the US deteriorate further, there is a fear that companies such as Microsoft could be forced to discontinue their services, which would have disastrous consequences for municipal services.
Financial considerations and cost savings
In addition to geopolitical considerations, economic factors also play a major role. The cost of using Microsoft products has risen substantially in recent years. For example, municipal spending on Microsoft products in Denmark rose from 313 million to 538 million kroner between 2018 and 2023. This made the search for cheaper alternatives inevitable. Aarhus expects significant savings by switching to Nextcloud, with costs falling from 800,000 to 225,000 kroner for just a small part of their IT.
A complete overhaul of the digital infrastructure
The decision to switch to open-source alternatives such as Nextcloud is more than a simple change of supplier. It is a radical transformation of the municipalities' digital infrastructure. Although Aarhus is already in the implementation phase of the new infrastructure, Copenhagen is only just beginning this transition. This requires radical changes, not only in technology, but also in the working methods of employees who are really used to Microsoft products such as Office and Teams. The move to open source is seen as an opportunity to gain more control over data, away from the ‘monopolistic’ grip of American companies.
Relevance of the Danish decision for the Netherlands
In the Netherlands, there is growing concern about dependence on American tech companies. Like the Danish Cloud Community in Denmark, the Dutch Cloud Community has warned about the risks of this dependence. The Dutch House of Representatives has already taken steps by passing motions for accelerated investment in European cloud alternatives. These measures are intended to create more digital sovereignty and reduce vulnerabilities, such as those exposed by the CLOUD Act. Like Denmark, the Netherlands feels the urgency to act before even greater risks arise.
A European strategy for digital sovereignty
The European Union also plays a role in promoting open-source solutions. Initiatives such as the Interoperable Europe Act advocate the use of open standards and software to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers. Germany and Denmark are leading the way with their transition plans. Schleswig-Holstein, for example, expects to save tens of millions of euros by introducing open-source software for thousands of employees. This movement emphasizes the desire of European countries to gain more control over their digital infrastructure and data.
Challenges in the transition to open source
Switching from familiar Microsoft products to open source is not without challenges. The lack of embedded support options and broad compatibility are potential obstacles. However, the experiences of the French and Italian governments show that such a transition, while complex, is possible. Adequate training, support, and improvement are essential for success. Copenhagen and Aarhus must plan carefully to ensure a smooth transition, taking into account previous bad experiences, such as in Munich.
International implications and expectations
The move by Copenhagen and Aarhus has attracted global attention as an experiment in digital autonomy. This raises questions: will this change become an example for other countries or end up as a cautionary tale? Governments around the world are watching to see how these changes develop and whether they become a lasting trend in the pursuit of digital sovereignty. The success or failure of the Danish transition could influence decisions in other countries, such as the Netherlands, where the debate on digital independence is ongoing.
The role of training and cultural change
A successful transition to an open-source environment requires not only technical expertise but also a change in organizational culture. Staff must understand and embrace the new systems and processes. This requires extensive training and leadership to encourage adoption of the changes. In countries such as Spain and Italy, these challenges were partly overcome through strategic awareness campaigns and training. Copenhagen and Aarhus will draw lessons from this to ensure a smooth transition, building on previous successes and failures as learning experiences.
